TWO  MOTHERS 


BY 
JOHN  G.  NEIHARDT 

THE  SPLENDID  WAYFARING 
THE  SONG  OF  THREE  FRIENDS 
THE  SONG  OF  HUGH  GLASS 
THE  QUEST 


TWO  MOTHERS 


BY 

JOHN  G.  NEIHARDT 


K3eto  gorfe 

THE  MACMILLAN  COMPANY 

1921 

All  rights  reserved 


COPYRIGHT,  1913 

By  POETRY:  A  MAGAZINE  OF  VERSE 

COPYRIGHT,  1915 

BY  THE  FORUM 

COPYRIGHT,  1921, 

BY  THE  MACMILLAN  COMPANY 

Set  up  and  electrotyped.     Published,  January,  1921 


TO 
ALICE  AND  MONA 


CONTENTS 

PAGE 

EIGHT  HUNDRED  RUBLES 3 

AGRIPPINA 27 


EIGHT  HUNDRED  RUBLES 


GIRL'S  SONG 


Semplice. 


NOBLE  KRHIDER, 


Semplice. 


The  heart's  an      o  -  pen    inn,         And 
And  with  their  wounds  of   care         And 


r    T 


from   the     four  winds  fare Va  -  grants  blind  with 

with  their  scars     of       sin....    All    these    shall    en  -  ter 


care,  Waifs    that    limp  with       sin; 

in  To      find      a        wel  -  come    there?;  And 


§£ 


Ghosts  of    what     has  been Wraiths    of     what  may 

he      who  gives   with  pray  •  er  Shall    be       the     rich  -  er 
a  tempo. 

-1  LT]  r* — i \- 


be:....    But    One    shall  bring    the      sa  -  cred    gift     And 
host:..    For    sure  -  ly      un    -  to      him    shall  come  The 


which is      He? 

Ho      -      -      ly  Ghost. 


The   last  stanza  same   as  second   except  in  second  "  'Tis 
he "   at  close  of  stanza  take  "  he "  on  C  for  end. 


TWO   MOTHERS 

EIGHT  HUNDRED  RUBLES 

The  combined  living  room  and  kitchen  of  a  peas 
ant  house.  Before  an  open  fire,  where  supper  is  in 
preparation,  stoops  a  girl  of  about  sixteen.  It  is 
evening  and  dusk  is  growing.  Vines  hang  outside 
and  the  light  of  a  rising  moon  comes  through  the 
window. 

GIRL 

(Singing) 

The  heart's  an  open  inn, 
And  from  the  four  winds  fare 
Vagrants  blind  with  care, 
Waifs  that  limp  with  sin; 
Ghosts  of  what  has  been, 
Wraiths  of  what  may  be: 
3 


4  TWO  MOTHERS 

But  one  shall  bring  the  sacred  gift  — 
And  which  is  he? 

And  with  their  wounds  of  care 
And  with  their  scars  of  sin, 
All  these  shall  enter  in 
To  find  a  welcome  there ; 
And  he  who  gives  with  prayer 
Shall  be  the  richer  host; 
For  surely  unto  him  shall  come 
The  Holy  Ghost. 

(Ceases  singing  and  stares  into  the  fire} 
What  if  he'd  vanish  like  a  dream  one  keeps 
No  more  than  starshine  when  the  morning  breaks ! 
I'll  look  again. 

(Arises,  goes  softly  to  the  open  window  and  looks 
out  into  the  garden) 

How  peacefully  he  sleeps! 
The  red  rose  shields  him  from  the  moon  that  makes 


EIGHT  HUNDRED  RUBLES  5 

The  garden  like  a  witch-tale  whispered  low. 
He  came  a  stranger,  yet  he  is  not  strange; 
For  O,  how  often  I  have  dreamed  it  so, 
Until  a  sudden,  shivering  gust  of  change 
Went  over  things,  making  the  cow-sheds  flare 
On  fire  with  splendor  while  one  might  count  three, 
And  riding  swiftly  down  the  populous  air, 
Prince-like  he  came  for  me. 
There  were  no  banners  when  he  really  came, 
No  clatter  of  brave  steel  chafing  in  the  sheath, 
No  trumpets  blown   to  hoarseness  with  his  fame. 
Silently  trudging  over  the  dusky  heath, 
Clad  in  a  weave  of  twilight,  shod  with  dew, 
Weary  he  came  and  hungry  to  the  door. 
The  lifting  latch  made  music,  and  I  knew 
My  prince  was  dream  no  more. 

(Sings  low) 
O  weary  heart  and  sore, 


6  TWO  MOTHERS 

O  yearning  eyes  that  blur, 

A  hand  that  drips  with  myrrh 

Is  knocking  at  the  door! 

The  waiting  time  is  o'er, 

Be  glad,  look  up  and  see 

How  splendid  is  a  dream  come  true  — 

'Tishe!     'Tishe! 

(During  the  latter  part  of  the  song,  the  back  door 
opens  and  the  father  and  mother  enter,  stooped 
beneath  heavy  packs) 

MOTHER 

What's  this,  eh?     Howling  like  a  dog  in  heat, 
Snout  to  the  moon !     And  not  a  bite  to  eat, 
And  the  pot  scorching  like  the  devil's  pit! 
Bestir  yourself  there,  will  you!     Here  you  sit 
Tra-la-ing  while  the  supper  goes  to  rack, 
And  your  old  father  like  to  break  his  back, 
Tramping  from  market! 


EIGHT  HUNDRED  RUBLES  7 

FATHER 

Tut,  tut!     Girls  must  sing, 
And  one  burned  supper  is  a  little  thing 
In  seventy  creeping  years. 

MOTHER 

Ah,  there  it  goes! 

My  hunger  makes  no  difference,  I  suppose! 
Tra-la,  tut  tut,  and  I  can  slave  and  slave 
Until  my  nose  seems  sniffing  for  a  grave, 
I'm  bent  so  —  and  it's  little  that  you  care! 

GIRL 
(Who  has  arisen  from  window  and  regards  her 

mother  as  in  a  dream) 
Hush,  Mother  dear,  you'll  wake  him ! 

MOTHER 

Wake  him?     Where? 
Who    sleeps    that    should    not    wake?     Are    you 

bewitched  ? 
Hush  me  again,  and  you'll  be  soundly  switched ! 


8  TWO  MOTHERS 

As  though  I  were  a  work  brute  to  be  dumb! 

I'll  talk  my  fill! 

GIRL 

O  Mother,  he  has  come 

MOTHER 
(Her  body  straightening  slightly  from  its  habitual 

stoop} 

Eh?     Who  might  come  that  I  would  care  to  know 
Since  Ivan  left  ?  —  He's  dead. 

FATHER 

Aye,  years  ago, 

And  stubborn  grieving  is  a  foolish  sin. 

MOTHER 

(With  the  old  weary  voice) 
One's  head  runs  empty  and  the  ghosts  get  in 
When  one  is  old  and  stooped. 

(Peevishly  to  the  girl) 

Bestir  yourself! 

Lay  plates  and  light  the  candles  on  the  shelf. 
No  corpse  lies  here  that  it  should  be  so  dark. 


EIGHT  HUNDRED  RUBLES  9 

(Girl,  moving  as  in  a  trance,  lights  candles  with 
a  brand  from  the  fireplace.     Often  she  glances 
expectantly  at  the  window.     The  place  is  fully 
illumined) 
What  ails  the  hussy  ? 

FATHER 

'Tis  a  crazy  lark 

Sings  in  her  head  all  day.     Don't  be  too  rough. 
Come  twenty  winters,  'twill  be  still  enough, 
God  knows! 

MOTHER 
(At  the  fireplace) 

I  heard  no  larks  sing  at  her  age. 
They  put  me  in  the  field  to  earn  a  wage 
And  be  some  use  in  the  world. 
(To  girl) 

What!     Dawdling  yet? 
I'll  lark  you  in  a  way  you  won't  forget, 
Come  forty  winters !     Speak !     What  do  you  mean  ? 


io  TWO  MOTHERS 

GIRL 

(Still  staring  at  the  window  and  speaking  dream 
ily  as  to  herself) 

Up  from  the  valley  creeps  the  loving  green 
Until  the  loneliest  hill-top  is  a  bride. 

MOTHER 
The  girl's  gone  daft ! 

FATHER 

'Tis  vapors.     Let  her  bide. 

She's  weaving  bride-veils  with  a  woof  of  the  moon, 
And  every  wind's  a  husband.     All  too  soon 
She'll  stitch  at  grave-clothes  in  a  stuff  more  stern. 

GIRL 

(Arousing  suddenly) 
I'm  sorry  that  I  let  the  supper  burn  — 
'Tis  all  so  sweet,  I  scarce  know  what  I  do  — 
He  came 

MOTHER 

Who  came? 


EIGHT  HUNDRED  RUBLES          n 

GIRL 

A  stranger  that  I  knew; 
And  he  was  weary,  so  I  took  him  in 
And  gave  him  supper,  thinking  'twere  a  sin 
That  anyone  should  want  and  be  denied. 
And  while  he  ate,  the  place  seemed  glorified, 
As  though  it  were  the  Saviour  sitting  there ! 
It  could  not  be  the  sunset  bound  his  hair 
Briefly  with  golden  haloes  —  made  his  eyes 
Such  depths  to  gaze  in  with  a  dumb  surprise 
While    one    blinked    thrice !  —  Then    suddenly    it 

passed, 
And  he  was  some  old  friend  returned  at  last 

After  long  years. 

MOTHER 

A  pretty  tale,  indeed ! 
And  so  it  was  our  supper  went  to  feed 
A  sneaking  ne'er-do-well,  a  shiftless  scamp! 

GIRL 
O  Mother,  wasn't  Jesus  Christ  a  tramp? 


12  TWO  MOTHERS 

MOTHER 

Hush,  will  you!  hush!     'Tis  plain  the  Devil's  here! 
To  think  my  only  child  should  live  to  jeer 
At  holy  things ! 

FATHER 

Come,  don't  abuse  the  maid. 
They  say  He  was  a  carpenter  by  trade, 
Yet  no  one  ever  saw  the  house  He  built. 

MOTHER 

So!     Shield  the  minx!     Make  nothing  of  her  guilt, 
And  let  the  Devil  get  her  —  as  he  will ! 
I'll  hold  my  tongue  and  work,  and  eat  my  fill 
From  what  the  beggars  leave,  for  all  you  care! 
Quick!     Where's  this  scoundrel? 
GIRL 

'Sh !     He's  sleeping  there 
Out  in  the  garden. 
(Shows  a  gold  piece) 

Mother,  see,  he  paid 


EIGHT  HUNDRED  RUBLES          13 

So  much  more  than  he  owed  us,  I'm  afraid. 
We  lose  in  taking,  profit  what  we  give. 

MOTHER 
(Taking  the  coin} 

What!     Gold?     A  clever  bargain,  as  I  live! 

It's  five  times  what  the  fowls  brought !  —  Not  so 

bad! 
And  yet  —  I'll  wager  'tis  not  all  he  had  — 

Eh? 

GIRL 

No  —  eight  hundred  rubles  in  a  sack ! 

MOTHER 
Eight  —  hundred  —  rubles !     Yet    the     times     are 

slack, 

And  coins  don't  spawn  like  fishes,  Goodness  knows! 
I'll  warrant  he's  some  thief  that  comes  and  goes 
About  the  country  with  a  ready  smile 
And  that  soft  speech  that  is  the  Devil's  guile, 
Nosing  out  hoards  that  reek  with  honest  sweat ! 
Ha,  ha  —  there's  little  here  that  he  can  get. 


H  TWO  MOTHERS 

(Goes  to  window  softly,  peers  out,  then  closes  the 

casement) 
Eight  —  hundred  —  rubles  — 

GIRL 

Mother,  had  you  heard 
How  loving  kindness  spoke  in  every  word, 
You  could  not  doubt  him.     O,  his  eyes  were  mild, 
And  there  were  heavens  in  them  when  he  smiled ! 

MOTHER 
Satan  can  outsmile  God. 

GIRL 

No,  no,  I'm  sure 

He  brought  some  gift  of  good  that  shall  endure 
And  be  a  blessing  to  us ! 

MOTHER 

So  indeed! 

Eight  —  hundred  —  rubles  —  with    the    power    to 

breed 

Litters  of  copecks  till  one  need  not  work ! 
Eight  hundred  hundred  backaches  somehow  lurk 


EIGHT  HUNDRED  RUBLES          15 

In  that  snug  wallet. 
( To  the  father) 

What's  the  thing  to  do? 

FATHER 

It  would  be  pleasant  with  a  pot  of  brew 
To  talk  until  the  windows  glimmer  pale. 
'Tis  good  to  harken  to  a  traveller's  tale 
Of  things  far  off  where  almost  no  one  goes. 

MOTHER 

As  well  to  parley  with  a  wind  that  blows 
Across  fat  fields,  yet  has  no  grain  to  share. 
Rubles  are  rubles,  and  a  tale  is  air. 
I'll  have  the  rubles! 

GIRL 

(Aghast) 

Mother!     Mother  dear! 
What  if  'twere  Ivan  sleeping  far  from  here, 
And  some  one  else  should  do  this  sinful  deed ! 

MOTHER 
Had  they  not  taken  my  son,  I  should  not  need 


16  TWO  MOTHERS 

Eight   hundred    rubles    now!     The   world's    made 

wrong, 

And  I'll  not  live  to  vex  it  very  long. 
Who  work  should  take  their  wages  where  they  can. 
It  should  have  been  my  boy  come  back  a  man, 
With  this  same  goodly  hoard  to  bring  us  cheer. 
Now  let  some  other  mother  peer  and  peer 
At  her  own  window  through  a  blurring  pane, 
And  see  the  world  go  out  in  salty  rain, 
And  start  at  every  gust  that  shakes  the  door! 
What  does  a  green  girl  know?     You  never  bore 
A  son  that  you  should  prate  of  wrong  and  right ! 
I  tell  you,  I  have  wakened  in  the  night, 
Feeling  his  milk-teeth  sharp  upon  my  breast, 
And  for  one  aching  moment  I  was  blest, 
Until  I  minded  that  'twas  years  ago 
These  flattened  paps  went  milkless  —  and  I  know ! 

GIRL 
O  Mother !  'twould  be  sin ! 


EIGHT  HUNDRED  RUBLES          17 

MOTHER 

Sin!     What  is  that  — 

When  all  the  world  prowls  like  a  hungry  cat, 
Mousing  the  little  that  could  make  us  glad  ? 

FATHER 

Don't  be  forever  grieving  for  the  lad. 
'Twas  hard,  but  there  are  troubles  worse  than  death. 
Let's  eat  and  think  it  over. 

MOTHER 

Save  your  breath, 

Or  share  your  empty  prate  with  one  another! 
One  moment  makes  a  father,  but  a  mother 
Is  made  by  endless  moments,  load  on  load. 

(Pause:  then  to  girl) 

I  left  a  bundle  three  bends  down  the  road. 
Go  fetch  it. 

GIRL 

(Pleadingly) 

Mother,  promise  not  to  do 
This  awful  thing  you  think. 


1 8  TWO  MOTHERS 

MOTHER 
(Seizing  a  stick  from  the  fireplace) 

I'll  promise  you, 
And  pay  in  welts  —  you  simpering  hussy ! 

( The  girl  flees  through  back  door.     After  a  pause 
the  ivoman  turns  to  the  man) 

—  Well? 

Eight  hundred  rubles,  and  no  tale  to  tell  — 
The  fresh  earth  strewn  with  leaves  —  is  that  the 
plan? 

FATHER 
(Startled) 

Eh?  — That?  — You  mean  — You  would  not  kill 

a  man? 
Not   that! 

MOTHER 
Eight  —  hundred  —  rubles. 

FATHER 

It  is  much. 

Old  folk  might  hobble  far  with  less  for  crutch  — 


EIGHT  HUNDRED  RUBLES          19 

But  murder !  —  Rubles  spent  are  rubles  still  — 
Blood  squandered  — 'tis  a  fearsome  thing  to  kill ! 
I  know  what  rubles  cost  —  they  all  come  hard, 
But  life's  the  dearer. 

MOTHER 

Kill  a  hog  for  lard, 

A  thief  for  gold  —  one  reason  and  one  knife ! 
I  tell  you,  gold  is  costlier  than  life! 
What  price  shall  we  have  brought  when  we  are 

gone  ? 

When  Ivan  died,  the  heartless  world  went  on 
Breeding  more  sons  that  men  might  still  be  cheap. 
And  who  but  I  had  any  tears  to  weep  ? 
I  mind  'twas  April  when  the  tale  was  brought 
That  he'd  been  lost  at  sea.     I  thought  and  thought 
About  the  way  all  things  were  mad  to  breed  — 
One  big  hot  itch  to  suckle  or  bear  seed  — 
And  my  boy  dead ! 

Life  costly  ?  —  Cheap  as  mud ! 
You  want  the  rubles,  sicken  at  the  blood, 


20  TWO  MOTHERS 

You  grey  old  limping  coward ! 

FATHER 

Come  now,  Mother! 
I'd  kill  to  live  as  lief  as  any  other. 
You  women  don't  weigh  matters  like  a  man. 
I  like  the  gold  — 'tis  true  —  but  not  the  plan. 
Why  not  put  pebbles  wThere  the  rubles  were, 
Then  send  him  forth? 

MOTHER 

And  set  the  place  a-whir 

With  a  wind  of  tongues !     I  tell  you,  we  must  kill ! 
No  tale  dies  harder  than  a  tale  of  ill. 
Once  buried,  he  will  tell  none. 

FATHER 

Let  me  think  — 

I'll  go  down  to  the  tavern  for  a  drink 
To  whet  my  wits  —  belike  the  dread  will  pass. 
(He  goes  out  through  the  back  door,  shaking  his 
head  in  perplexity) 


EIGHT  HUNDRED  RUBLES          21 

MOTHER 
(Alone) 

He'll  find  a  coward's  courage  in  his  glass  — 
Enough  to  dig  a  hole  when  he  comes  back. 

(She  goes  to  shelf  and  snuffs  the  candles.  The 
moon  shines  brightly  through  the  window  and 
the  firelight  glows.  She  takes  a  knife  from  a 
table  drawer,  feels  the  edge;  goes  to  the  win 
dow  and  peers  out;  turns  about,  uneasily  scan 
ning  the  room,  then  moves  toward  the  side  door, 
muttering) 
Eight  hundred  shining  rubles  in  a  sack ! 

(She  goes  out  softly  and  closes  the  door.  A  cry 
is  heard  as  of  one  in  a  nightmare.  After  a  con- 
sirerable  interval  the  mother  reenters  with  a 
small  bag  which  she  is  opening  with  nervous 
fingers.  The  moonlight  falls  upon  her.  Now 
and  then  she  endeavors  to  shake  something  from 
her  hands,  which  she  finally  wipes  on  her  apron, 
muttering  the  while) 


22  TWO  MOTHERS 

When  folks  get  rich  they  find  their  fingers  dirty. 
(She  counts  the  coins  in  silence  for  awhile,  then 

aloud) 

Eight  and  twenty  —  nine  and  twenty — thirty  — 
(Clutching  a  handful  of  gold,  she  suddenly  stops 
counting  and  stares  at  the  back  door.  There 
is  the  sound  of  rapidly  approaching  footsteps. 
The  door  flies  open  and  the  old  man  enters 
excitedly) 

FATHER 
Mother!     Mother!     Wake    him!     Wake    him  — 

quick ! 

'Tis  Ivan  with  an  old-time,  merry  trick  — 
They  told  me  at  the  tavern  — 'tis  our  son ! 

(Rushes  toward  the  side  door) 
Ivan !     Ivan ! 

(Stops  abruptly,  aghast  at  the  look  of  the  woman. 
The  coins  jangle  on  the  floor) 

God !     What  have  you  done ! 


EIGHT  HUNDRED  RUBLES          23 

(As  the  curtain  jails,  the  singing   voice   of   the 
returning  girl  is  heard  nearer  and  nearer) 
GIRL 

(Outside) 

O  weary  heart  and  sore, 
O  yearning  eyes  that  blur, 
A  hand  that  drips  with  myrrh 
Is  knocking  at  the  door! 

The  waiting  time  is  o'er, 
Be  glad,  look  up  and  see 
How  splendid  is  a  dream  come  true  — 
'Tishe!  'tis  he! 


AGRIPPINA 


AGRIPPINA 

(The  courtyard  of  the  Imperial  villa  at  Balae. 
A  moonlit  night  in  late  March.  Occupying 
the  left  half  of  background  is  seen  a  portion  of 
the  villa.  A  short,  broad  flight  of  steps  leads 
through  the  arched  doorway  to  a  pillared  hull 
beyond,  vague,  but  seeming  vast  in  the  uncer 
tain  lights  that  flicker  in  the  draught.  To  the 
right  of  the  doorway  is  a  broad  open  window 
at  the  height  of  a  mans  head  from  the  court 
yard.  An  urn  stands  near  window  in  the 
shadow  to  the  right.  From  within  harp  music 
is  heard  threading  the  buzzing  merriment  of 
a  banquet  that  is  being  given  to  celebrate  Nero's 
reconciliation  with  his  mother.  To  the  right 
of  stage  a  glimpse  of  the  moonlit  sea  is  caught 
through  trees.) 

27 


28  TWO  MOTHERS 

(Enter    from     left    walking     toward    the    sea, 
Anicetus  and  the  Captain  of  a  galley.) 

CAPTAIN 
(Pointing  toward  sea.) 

Yon  lies  the  galley  weltering  in  the  moon. 
A  fair  ship !  —  like  a  lady  in  a  swoon 
Of  languid  passion.     Never  fairer  craft 
Flung  the  green  rustle  of  her  skirts  abaft 
And  wooed  the  dwindling  leagues! 

r  ANICETUS 

A  boat's  a  boat ! 

And  were  she  thrice  the  fairest  keel  afloat 
Tonight  she  founders,  sinks  —  make  sure  of  that ! 

CAPTAIN 

And  all  to  drown  one  lean  imperial  cat 
With  claws  and  teeth  too  sharp  despite  the  purr! 
Ah,  scan  the  graceful  woman  lines  of  her ! 
Fit  for  the  male  Wind's  love  is  she  —  alas ! 
Scuttled  and  buried  in  a  sea  of  glass 
By  her  own  master!     It  will  cost  me  pain. 


AGRIPPINA  29 

Better  a  night  of  lightning-riven  rain 

With  hell-hounds  baying  in  the  driven  gloom! 

ANICETUS 

The  will  of  Nero  is  her  wind  of  doom  — 
Woe  to  the  seaman  who  defies  that  gale ! 
Go  now  —  make  ready  that  we  may  not  fail 
To  crown  the  wish  of  Caesar  with  the  deed. 

CAPTAIN 
Aye,  Master! 

(Exit  Captain  toward  sea.) 

ANICETUS 

And  no  brazen  wound  shall  bleed 
Red  scandal  over  Rome ;  the  nosing  mob 
Shall  sniff  no  poison.     Just  a  gulping  sob 
And  some  few  bubbles  breaking  on  the  swell  — 
Then,  good  night,  Agrippina,  rest  you  well! 
And  may  the  gods  revamp  the  silly  fish 
With  guts  of  brass  for  coping  with  that  dish ! 

(A  muffled  outburst  of  laughter  in  banquet  hall 


30  TWO  MOTHERS 

Anicetus  turns  toward  window.     Uproar  dies 
out.) 

They're  drinking  deep  —  the  banquet's  at  its  height 
And  all  therein  are  kings  and  queens  tonight. 

(Goes  to  urn,  mounts  it  and  peers  in  at  window.) 
A  merry  crew!     Quite  drunk,  quite  drunk  I  fear, 
My  noble  Romans !  —  Burrus'  eyes  are  blear ! 
One  goblet  hence,  good  Burrus,  you  will  howl! 
E'en  Seneca  sits  staring  like  an  owl 
And  strives  to  pilot  in  some  heavy  sea 
That  wisdom-laden  boat,  his  head.     Ah  me, 
Creperius  Gallus,  you  are  floundering  deep 
In  red  Falernian  bogs,  so  you  shall  sleep 
Quite  soundly  while  your  mistress  takes  the  dip ! 
Fair  Acerronia  thinks  the  place  a  ship 
And  greenly  sickens  in  the  dizzy  roll! 
There  broods  Poppaea,  certain  of  her  goal, 
Her  veil  a  sea-fog  clutching  at  the  moon, 
A  portent  to  wise  sailors!     Very  soon 
The  sea  shall  wake  in  hunger  and  be  fed! 


AGRIPPINA  31 

She  smiles !  —  the  glimmer  on  a  thunderhead 

That  vomits  ruin!  —  What  has  made  her  smile? 

Ah,  Nero's  wine  is  sugared  well  with  guile ! 

So  —  kiss  your  mother  —  gently  fondle  her  — 

Pet  the  old  she-cat  till  she  mew  and  purr 

Unto  the  tender  hand  that  strokes  her  back: 

So  shall  there  be  no  sniffing  at  the  sack! 

Would  that  her  eyes,  like  his,  with  wine  were  dim ! 

Gods!     What  a  tragic  actor  died  in  him 

To  make  a  comic  Caesar! 

I  surmise 

By  the  too  rheumy  nature  of  your  eyes, 
Divine  imperial  Nero,  and  their  sunk 
Lugubrious  aspect  —  pardon !  —  but  you're  drunk, 
Drunk  as  a  lackey  when  the  master's  out! 
O  kingly  tears  that  down  that  regal  snout 
Pour  salty  love  upon  a  mother's  breast! 
So  shall  her  timid  doubts  be  lulled  to  rest! 

(Bustle  within  as  of  many  rising  to  their  feet.) 
They  rise !     The  prologue's  ended  —  now  the  play ! 


32  TWO  MOTHERS 

(He  gets  down  from  urn  and  goes  off  toward 
sea.) 

HERALDS 
(Crying  within.) 

Make  way  for  Caesar!     Ho! 

Make  way!     Make,  way! 

(The  musicians  within  strike  up  a  martial  strain. 
After  a  jew  moments,  within  the  hall  appear 
Nero  and  Agrippina,  arm  in  arm,  approaching 
the  flight  of  steps.  Nero  is  robed  in  a  tunic 
of  the  color  of  amethyst,  with  a  winged  harp 
embroidered  on  the  front.  He  is  crowned  with 
a  laurel  wreath,  now  askew  in  his  disordered 
hair.  Agrippina  wears  a  robe  of  maroon  with 
out  decoration.  Nero  endeavors  to  preserve 
the  semblance  of  supporting  his  mother,  but  in 
fact  is  supported  by  her,  while  he  caresses  her 
with  considerable  extravagance.  They  pause 
half  way  down  the  steps,  and  the  music  within 
changes  to  a  low  melancholy  air.) 


AGRIPPINA  33 

AGRIPPINA 

(Lifting  her  face  to  the  moon  seaward.) 
How  fair  a  moon  to  crown  our  happy  revel! 

NERO 

(Gazing  blankly  at  the  moon.) 
Eh?     Veil  the  hussy! 

AGRIPPINA 
Son,  son! 

NERO 

She's  a  devil! 

AGRIPPINA 

(Placing  a  loving  arm  closer  about  Nero.) 
Just  such  a  night  't  was,  Lucius  —  you  remember  ? — 
When  Claudius'  spirit  like  a  smouldering  ember 
Struggled  'twixt  flame  and  ash  —  do  you  forget  ? 

NERO 
Ha  ha  — 't  was  snuffed  —  ho  ho ! 

AGRIPPINA 
(Stroking  his  hair.) 

'T  was  then  I  set 


34  TWO  MOTHERS 

The  imperial  circlet  here;  't  was  then  I  cloaked 
My  boy  with  world-robes! 

NERO 
(Still  staring  at  moon  and  pointing  unsteadily.) 

Have  that  vixen  choked ! 
Her  staring  makes  me  stagger  —  where's  her  veil? 

AGRIPPINA 

It  all  comes  back  like  an  enchanted  tale  — 
The  moon  set  and  the  sun  rose  — 

NERO 

Dead  and  gone  — 

The  sun  set  and  the  moon  rose  — 

AGRIPPINA 

Nay,  at  dawn 

The  blear  flame  died,  the  new  flame  blossomed  up. 

NERO 

Did  someone  drop  a  poison  in  my  cup? 
The  windless  sea  crawls  moaning  — 

(  They  move  slowly  down  stairs,  Nero  clinging  to 
his  mother.} 


AGRIPPINA  35 

AGRIPPINA 

Son  of  mine, 

Cast  off  the  evil  humors  of  the  wine ! 

I  am  so  happy  and  was  so  forlorn! 

Ah,  not  another  night  since  you  were  born 

Has  flung  such  purple  through  me !     Son  —  at  last 

The  haggard  hours  that  parted  us  are  past; 

I've  wept  my  tears  and  have  no  more  to  shed! 

I  live  —  I  live  —  I  live !     And  I  was  dead. 

NERO 
(Clinging  closer.) 

Dead  —  dead  —  what  ails  the  sea  — 'tis  going  red  — 

(Laughter  in  banquet  hall.) 
Who's  laughing?  —  Mother  —  scourge  them  from 

the  place! 

Who  gave  the  moon  Poppaea's  dizzy  face 
To  scare  the  sea? 

AGRIPPINA 

Your  message  gave  me  life ! 
Ah,  Lucius,  not  for  us  to  mar  with  strife 


36  TWO  MOTHERS 

A  world  so  made  for  loving! 

Lucius  dear, 

I  was  too  harsh,  perhaps ;  the  fault  is  here. 
(Places  hand  on  heart.) 

NERO 
(Staring  into  his  mother's  eyes.) 

Too  harsh  perhaps  — 

AGRIPPINA 

Yea,  so  we  mothers  err : 

Too  long  we  see  our  babies  as  they  were, 
And  last  of  all  the  world  confess  them  tall. 
They  stride  so  far  —  we  shudder  lest  they  fall  — 
They  toddle  yet. 

And  she  who  bears  a  son 
Shall  be  two  women  ever  after;  one 
The  fountain  of  a  seaward  cooing  stream, 
And  one  the  shrouded  virgin  of  a  dream 
Whom  no  man  wooes,  whose  heart,  a  muted  lyre, 
Pines  with  a  wild  but  unconfessed  desire 
For  him  who  —  never  understands,  my  son ! 


AGRIPPINA  37 

I'll  be  all  fountain  —  kill  that  other  one! 

NERO 
That  other  one  — 

AGRIPPINA 

Oh,  like  a  wind  of  Spring 
Wooing  the  sere  grave  of  a  buried  thing, 
Your  summons  came !     Such  happy  tendrils  creep 
Out  of  me,  in  that  old  ache  rooted  deep, 
To  blossom  sunward  greener  for  the  sorrow. 
And,  O  my  Emperor,  if  on  the  morrow 
Your  heart  could  soften  toward  that  gentle  one, 
That  frail  white  lily  pining  for  the  sun, 
Octavia,  your  patient  little  wife, 
Smile,  smile  upon  that  flower  and  give  it  life! 
Make  of  my  Lucius  emperor  in  truth, 
Not  Passion's  bondman! 

'T  is  the  way  of  youth 

To  drive  wild  stallions  with  too  slack  a  rein 
Toward  fleeing  goals  no  fleetness  can  attain ! 
Oh  splendid  speed  that  fails  for  lack  of  fear! 


38  TWO  MOTHERS 

The  grip  of  iron  makes  the  charioteer! 

The  lyric  fury  heeds  the  master  beat 

And  is  the  freer  for  its  shackled  feet! 

You  who  are  Law  shall  be  more  free  than  others 

By  seeming  less  so,  Lucius. 

NERO 

Best  of  mothers, 

Tomorrow  —  yes,  tomorrow  —  Mother,  stay ! 
You  must  not  go  so  far,  so  far  away ! 

AGRIPPINA 
Only  to  Bauli. 

(They  have  reached  the  extreme  right  of  stage. 
The  guests  now  begin  to  come  out  of  banquet 
hall,  scattering  a  rippling  laughter.  Nero  is 
aroused  by  the  merry  sound,  looks  back,  gathers 
himself  together  with  a  start.) 

NERO 

Ah !     The  moon  is  bright ! 
The  sea  is  still !     We'll  banquet  every  night, 
Shall  we  not,  Mother? 


AGRIPPINA  39 

Certain  cares  of  state 

Weigh  heavily  — 'tis  awful  to  be  great  — 

Nay,  terrible  at  times!     Can  I  be  ill? 

It  seemed  the  sea  moaned  —  yet  'tis  very  still ! 

Mother,  my  Mother  —  kiss  me !     Let  us  go 

Down  to  the  galley  —  so. 

(They  pass  out  toward  the  sea,  Nero  caressing 
his  mother.  The  guests  now  throng  down  the 
steps  into  the  courtyard.  They  are  in  various 
states  of  intoxication.  Many  are  dressed  to 
represent  mythological  figures  :  Fauns  and 
Satyrs;  Bacchus  crowned  with  grape  leaves, 
wearing  a  leopard  skin  on  his  shoulders;  six 
Bacchantes;  Psyche  with  wings;  Luna  in  a 
spangled  tunic  with  silver  horns  in  her  hair; 
Mercury  with  winged  sandals  and  the  caduceus; 
Neptune  in  an  emerald  robe,  crowned  and 
bearing  the  trident;  Iris,  rainbow-clad;  Silenus. 
Some  are  dressed  in  brilliant  oriental  garments. 
There  are  Senators  in  broad  bordered  togas 


40  TWO  MOTHERS 

with  half  moons  embroidered  on  their  sandals; 
Pages  dressed  as  Cupids  and  infant  Bacchi; 
Officers  of  the  Praetorian  Guard  in  military 
uniform.  Turbaned,  half  nude  Numidian 
slaves,  with  bronze  rings  in  their  ears,  come 
trotting  in  with  litters,  attended  by  torch- 
bearers.  Some  of  the  guests  depart  in  the 
litters.  The  music  continues  in  banquet  hall.) 

NEPTUNE 
(Staggering  against  Luna.) 

Who'd  be  a  sailor  when  great  Neptune  staggers 
Dashed   in   the   Moon's  face!  —  Calm   me,   gentle 

Luna, 
And  silver  me  with  kisses! 

LUNA 

(Fleeing  from  his  outstretched  arms,  but  regard 
ing  him  invitingly  over  her  shoulder.) 

Fie,  you  wine-skin! 

A  hiccough's  not  a  tempest!     Lo,  I  glide, 
Treading  a  myriad  stars! 


AGRIPPINA  41 

(Neptune  follows  with  a  rolling  gait.) 

A  SATYR 
(Looking  after  them  as  they  disappear.) 

Roll,  eager  Tide ! 

Methinks  ere  long  the  wooing  moon  shall  fall ! 
(Those  near  laugh.) 

FIRST  SENATOR 
(To  Second  Senator.) 

Was  Nero  acting,  think  you? 

SECOND  SENATOR 

Not  at  all. 

'Twas  staged,  no  doubt,  but  — 

FIRST  SENATOR 

Softly,  lest  they  hear! 

SECOND  SENATOR 
The  mimic  is  in  mimicry  sincere  — 

The  role  absorbed  the  actor.     So  he  wept. 
(They  pass  on,  talking  low.) 

A  PRAETORIAN  OFFICER 
(To  Psyche  leaning  on  his  arm.) 

Was  it  a  vision,  Psyche?     Have  I  slept? 


42  TWO  MOTHERS 

By  the  pink-nippled  Cyprian,  I  swear 

Our  Caesar  knows  a  woman!     Gods!     That  hair! 

Spun  from  the  bowels  of  Ophir! 

PSYCHE 

Who's  so  fair? 

PRAETORIAN 
Poppaea ! 

PSYCHE 

She  ?  —  A  Circe,  queen  of  hogs ! 
A  cross-road  Hecate,  bayed  at  by  the  dogs! 
A  morbid  Itch  — 

PRAETORIAN 
Sh! 

PSYCHE 

—  strutting  in  a  cloak 
Of  what  she  has  not,  virtue ! 

PRAETORIAN 

Ha!     You  joke! 
All  cloaks  are  ruses,  fashioned  to  reveal 


AGRIPPINA  43 

What  all  possess,  pretending  to  conceal  — 
Who'd  love  a  Psyche  else? 

(They  pass  on.) 

IRIS 
(To  a  Satyr  who  supports  her.} 

A  clever  wile 

Her  veil  is!     Ah,  we  women  must  beguile 
The  stupid  male  by  seeming  to  withhold 
What's  dross,  displayed,  but,  guarded  well,  is  gold! 
Faugh!     Hunger  sells  it  and  the  carter  buys! 

SATYR 
Consume  me  with  the  lightning  of  her  eyes! 

She's  Aphrodite! 

IRIS 
Helen! 

SATYR 

Helen,  then! 

A  peep  behind  that  veil,  and  once  again 
The  sword-flung  music  of  the  fighting  men, 
Voluptuous  ruin  and  wild  battle  joy, 


44  TWO  MOTHERS 

The  swooning  ache  and  rapture  that  was  Troy! 
Delirious  doom! 

IRIS 
(Laughing.) 

O  Sorcery  of  Night! 
We're  all  one  woman  in  the  morning  light ! 

SATYR 
(Laughing.) 

You're  jealous! 

IRIS 

No,  I  rend  the  veil  in  twain! 
(They  mingle  with  the  throng.) 

SlLENUS 

( To  a  Naval  Officer. ) 

The  wind  veers  and  the  moon  seems  on  the  wane ! 
What  bodes  it  —  reinstatement  for  the  Queen  ? 

NAVAL  OFFICER 

No  seaman  knows  the  wind  and  moon  you  mean; 
Yet  land  were  safer  when  those  signs  concur! 
(They  pass  on.) 


AGRIPPINA  45 

MERCURY 
(To  a  Bacchante.) 

'T  would  rouse  compassion  in  a  toad,  and  stir 
A  wild  boar's  heart  with  pity! 

BACCHANTE 
(Placing  a  warning  hand  on  his  mouth.) 

Hush !     Beware ! 
MERCURY 

Could  j'ou  not  feel  the  hidden  gorgon  stare 
The  venom  of  her  laughter  dripping  slow? 

(The  musicians  from  within,  having  followed  the 
departing  throng  fro?n  the  banquet  hall,  and 
having  stationed  themselves  on  the  steps,  now 
strike  up  a  wild  Bacchic  air.) 

BACCHUS 

(Swinging  into  the  dance.) 
Bacchantes,  wreathe  the  dance! 

BACCHANTES 
(From   various  parts  of  the  throng.) 

lo,  Bacche!     lo! 


46  TWO  MOTHERS 

(Pirouetting  to  the  music,  they  assemble,  circling 
about  Bacchus,  joining  hands  and  singing. 
When  the  song  is  finished,  the  circle  breaks, 
the  dancers  wheel,  facing  outward.  Bacchus 
endeavors  to  kiss  a  Bacchante  who  regards  him 
with  head  thrown  back.  The  dance  music  be 
comes  more  abandoned,  and  the  Bacchante  flees, 
pursued  by  Bacchus,  who  reels  as  he  dances. 
All  the  other  Bacchantes  follow,  weaving  in 
and  out  between  pursuer  and  pursued.  The 
throng  laughingly  makes  way  for  them.  At 
length  the  pursued  Bacchante  flings  off  in  a 
mad  whirl  toward  the  grove  in  the  background, 
followed  by  Bacchus  and  the  Bacchantes. 
Fauns  and  Satyrs  now  take  up  the  dance  and 
join  in  the  pursuit.  The  throng  follows 
eagerly,  enjoying  the  spectacle.  All  disappear 
among  the  trees.  Laughter  in  the  distance, 
growing  dimmer.  The  musicians  withdraw 
into  the  villa  and  disappear,  their  music  dying 


AGRIPPINA  47 

out.  The  lights  go  out  in  the  banquet  hall. 
The  stage  is  now  lit  by  the  moon  alone,  save 
for  the  draughty  lamps  within  the  pillared  hall. 
After  a  period  of  silence,  re-enter  Nero,  walking 
backward  from  the  direction  of  the  sea  toward 
which  he  gazes.} 

NERO 
Dimmer  —  dimmer  —  dimmer  — 

A  shadow  melting  in  a  moony  shimmer 
Down  the  bleak  seaways  dwindling  to  that  shore 
Where  no  heaved  anchor  drips  forevermore 
Nor  winds  breathe  music  in  the  homing  sail: 
But  over  sunless  hill  and  fruitless  vale, 
Gaunt  spectres  drag  the  age-long  discontent 
And  ponder  what  this  brief,  bright  moment  meant  — 
The  loving  —  and  the  dreaming  —  and  the  laughter. 
Ah,  ships  that  vanish  take  what  never  after 
Returning  ships  may  carry. 

Dawn  shall  flare, 
Make  bloom  the  terraced  gardens  of  the  air 


48  TWO  MOTHERS 

For  all  the  world  but  Lucius.     He  shall  see 
The  haunted  hollow  of  Infinity 
Gray  in  the  twilight  of  a  heart's  eclipse. 
With  our  own  wishes  woven  into  whips 
The  jealous  gods  chastise  us!  —  I'm  alone! 
About  the  transient  brilliance  of  my  throne 
The  giddy  moths  flit  briefly  in  the  glow ; 
But  when  at  last  that  light  shall  flicker  low, 
A  taper  guttering  in  a  gust  of  doom, 
What  hand  shall  grope  for  Nero's  in  the  gloom, 
What  fond  eyes  shed  the  fellows  of  his  tears? 
She  bore  her  heart  these  many  troublous  years 
Before  me,  like  a  shield.     And  she  is  dead. 
Her  hand  'twas  set  the  crown  upon  my  head; 
Her  heart's  blood  dyed  the  kingly  robe  for  me. 
Dank  seaweed  crowns  her,  and  the  bitter  sea 
Enshrouds  with   realmless  purple! 

Round  and  round, 

Swirled  in  the  endless  nightmare  of  the  drowned, 
Her  fond  soul  gropes  for  something  vaguely  dear 


AGRIPPINA  49 

That  lures,  eludes  forever.     Shapes  that  leer, 
Distorted  Neros  of  a  tortured  sleep, 
Cry  "  Mother,  come  to  Baiae"     Deep  on  deep 
The  green  death  folds  her  and  she  can  not  come. 
Vague,  gaping  mouths  that  hunger  and  are  dumb 
Mumble  the  tired  heart  so  ripe  with  woe, 
Where  night  is  but  a  black  wind  breathing  low 
And  daylight  filters  like  a  ghostly  rain ! 
O  Mother!     Mother!     Mother!  — 

(With  arms  extended,  he  stares  seaward  a  mo 
ment,  then  covers  his  face,  turns,  and  walks 
slowly  toward  entrance  of  villa.) 

Vain,  'tis  vain ! 
How  shall  one  move  an  ocean  with  regret? 

(He  has  reached  the  steps  and  pauses.) 
Ah,  one  hope  lives  in  all  this  bleakness  yet. 
gong!  —  Mighty  Song  the  hurt  of  life  assuages! 
This  fateful  night  shall  fill  the  vaulted  ages 
With  starry  grief,  and  men  unborn  shall  sing 
The  mournful  measure  of  the  Ancient  King! 


50  TWO  MOTHERS 

I'll  write  an  ode! 

(He  stands  for  a  moment,  glorified  with  the 
thought.) 

Great  heart  of  Nero,  strung 
Harplike,  endure  till  this  last  song  be  sung, 
Then  break  —  then  break  — 
(Turns  and  mounts  the  steps.) 

Oh  Fate,  to  be  a  bard! 
The  way  is  hard,  the  way  is  very  hard ! 

(A  dim  outburst  of  laughter  from  the  revellers 
in  the  distance.) 

II 

(The  same  night.  Nero's  private  chamber  in 
his  villa  at  Baiae.  Nero  is  discovered  asleep 
in  his  state  robes  on  a  couch,  where  he  has  evi 
dently  thrown  himself  down,  overcome  by  the 
stupor  incident  to  the  feast  of  the  night.  Be 
side  the  couch  is  a  writing  stand,  bearing  writ 
ing  materials.  A  few  lights  burn  dimly. 
Nero  groans,  cries  out,  and,  as  though  terrified 


AGRIPPINA  51 

by  a  nightmare,  sits  up,  trembling  and  staring 
upon  some  projected  vision  of  his  sleep.  He 
is  yet  only  half  awake.) 

NERO 
Oh  —  oh  —  begone,  blear  thing!  —  She  is  not  dead ! 

You  are  not  she  —  my  mother !  —  Ghastly  head  — 
Trunkless  —  and  oozing  green  gore  like  the  sea, 
Wind-stabbed!     Begone!     Go  —  do    not    look    at 

me  — 

I  will  not  be  so  tortured !  —  Eyes  burned  out 
With  scorious  hell-spew !  —  Locks  that  grope  about 
To  clutch  and  strangle ! 

(He  has  got  up  from  the  couch  and  now  struggles 
with  something  at  his  throat,  still  staring  at  the 
thing.) 

Off!     Off! 

(In  an  outburst  of  terrified  tenderness  extends 
his  arms  as  toward  a  woman.) 

Mother  —  mother  —  come 
Into  these  arms  —  speak  to  me  —  be  not  dumb! 


52  TWO  MOTHERS 

Stare  not  so  wildly  —  kiss  fne  as  of  old ! 

Be  flesh  again  —  warm  flesh !     Oh  green  and  cold 

As  the  deep  grave  they  gave  you ! 

'Twas  not  I ! 

Mother,  'twas  not  my  will  that  you  should  die  — 
'Twas  hers!  —  I   hate  her!     Mother,   pity  me! 
Oh,  is  it  you?  —  Sole  goddess  of  the  sea 
I  shall  proclaim  you!     Pity!     I  shall  pour 
The  hot  blood  of  your  foes  on  every  shore, 
A  huge  libation !     Hers  shall  be  the  first ! 
I  swear  it!     May  my  waking  be  accursed, 
My  sleep  a-swarm  with  furies  if  I  err! 

(He  has  advanced  a  short  distance  toward  what 
he  sees,  but  now  shrinks  back  burying  his  face 
in  his  robe.) 
Go !  —  Spare  me !  —  Guards !     Guards ! 

(Three  soldiers,  who  have  been  standing  guard 
without  the  chamber,  rush  in  and  stand  at 
attention.) 

Seize  and  shackle  her! 


AGRIPPINA  53 

There  'tis!  — eh? 

(He  stares  blankly,  rubs  his  eyes.) 

It  is  gone! 
(Blinks  at  soldiers,  and  cries  petulantly.) 

What  do  you  here? 
FIRST  SOLDIER 
Great  Caesar  summoned  us. 
NERO 
(Glancing  nervously  about.) 

The  night  is  blear  — 

Make  lights!     I  will  not  have  these  shadow  things 
Crawling  about  me!     Poisoners  of  kings 
Fatten  on  shadows!     Quick  there,  dog-eyed  scamp, 
Lean  offal-sniffer!     Kindle  every  lamp! 

(Soldier  tremblingly  takes  a  lamp  and  lights  a 
number  of  others  with  its  flame.  Stage  is 
flooded  with  light.) 

By  the  bronze  beard  I  swear  there  shall  be  lights 
Enough  hereafter,  though  I  purge  the  nights 
With  conflagrating  cities,  till  the  crash 


54  TWO  MOTHERS 

Of  Rome's  last  tower  beat  up  the  smouldering  ash 
Of  Rome's  last  city! 

So  —  I  breathe  again ! 
Some  cunning,  faneless  god  who  hated  men 
Devised  this  curse  of  darkness!     What's  the  hour? 

SECOND  SOLDIER 
The  third  watch  wanes. 

NERO 

Too  late !     Too  late !     The  power 
Of  Nero  Caesar  can  not  stay  the  sun! 
The  stars  have  marched  against  me  —  it  is  done ! 
And  all  Rome's  legions  could  not  rout  this  swarm 
Of  venom-footed  moments! 

—  She  was  warm 
One  little  lost  eternity  ago. 

(With  awakening  resolution.) 
'Twas  not  my  deed !     I  did  not  wish  it  so ! 
Some  demon,  aping  Caesar,  gave  the  word 
While  Lucius  Aenobarbus'  eyes  were  blurred 
With  too  much  beauty ! 


AGRIPPINA  55 

Oh,  it  shall  be  done! 
Ere  these  unmothered  eyes  behold  the  sun, 
She  shall  have  vengeance,  and  that  gift  is  mine ! 

(To  First  Soldier.) 

Rouse  the  Praetorians!     Bid  a  triple  line 
Be  flung  about  the  palace! 
(To  Second  Soldier.) 

Send  me  wine  — 

Strong  wine  to  nerve  a  resolution! 
(To   Third  Soldier.) 

You  — 
Summon  Poppaea! 

(The  Soldiers  go  out.) 

This  deed  I  mean  to  do 
Unties  the  snarl,  but  broken  is  the  thread. 
Would  that  the  haughty  blood  these  hands  will  shed 
Might  warm  my  mother !  that  the  breath  I  crush  — 
So — (clutching  air)   from  that  throat  of  sorceries, 

might  rush 
Into  the  breast  that  loved  and  nurtured  me! 


56  TWO  MOTHERS 

The  heart  of  Nero  shivers  in  the  sea, 
And  Rome  is  lorn  of  pity! 

Could   the  world 

And  all  her  crawling  spawn  this  night  be  hurled 
Into  one  woman's  form,  with  eyes  to  shed 
Rivers  of  scalding  woe,  her  towering  head 
Jeweled  with  realms  aflare,  with  locks  of  smoke, 
Huge  nerves  to  suffer,  and  a  neck  to  choke  — 
That  woman  were  Poppaea!     I  \vould  rear 
About  the  timeless  sea,  my  mother's  bier, 
A  sky-roofed  desolation  groined  with  awe, 
Where,  nightly  drifting  in  the  stream  of  law, 
The  vestal  stars  should  tend  their  fires,  and  weep 
To  hear  upon  the  melancholy  deep 
That  shipless  wind,  her  ghost,  amid  the  hush! 
Alas!     I  have  but  one  white  throat  to  crush 
With  these  world-hungry  fingers! 

(From  behind  Nero,  enter  Page  —  a  little  boy  — 

bearing  a  goblet  of  wine  on  a  salver.     Nero 

turns,  startled.) 


AGRIPPINA  57 

Ah!  — You! —You! 
PAGE 
I  bring  wine,  mighty  Caesar. 

(Nero  passes  his  hand  across  his  face,  and  the  ex 
pression  of  fright  leaves.) 

NERO 

So  you  do  — 

I  saw  —  the  boy  Brittanicus !  —  One  sees  — 
Things  —  does    one    not  ?  —  such    eerie    nights    as 
these? 

PAGE 

(With  eager  boyish  earnestness.) 
With  woozy  heads? 

NERO 
(Irritably.) 

The  wine! 

(The  Page,  startled,  presents  the  salver,  from 
which  Nero  takes  the  goblet  with  unsteady 
hand.  Page  is  in  the  act  of  fleeing.) 

Stay! 


58  TWO  MOTHERS 

(Page  stops  and  turns  tremblingly.) 

Never  dare 
Again  to  look  like  —  anyone !     Beware ! 

(Page's    head    shakes    a    timid    negative.     Nero 

stares  into  goblet  and  muses.) 
Blood's  red  too.     Ah,  a  woman  is  the  grape 
Ripe  for  the  vintage,  from  whose  flesh  agape 
Glad  feet  tonight  shall  stamp  the  hated  ooze! 
It  boils!  —  See!  —  like  some  witch's  pot  that  brews 
Venomous  ichor !  —  Nay  —  some  angry  ghost 
Hurls  bloody  breakers  on  a  bleeding  coast !  — 
'Tis  poisoned! — Out,  Locustas  brat! 

(Hurls  goblet  at  Page,  who  flees  precipitately.) 

'Twas  she! 

The  hand  that  flung  my  mother  to  the  sea 
Now  pours  me  death ! 

Alas,  great  Hercules 

Too  long  has  plied  the  distaff  at  the  knees 
Of  Omphale,  spinning  a  thread  of  woe! 
Was  ever  king  of  story  driven  so 


AGRIPPINA  59 

By  unrelenting  Fate?     Lo,  round  on  round 
The  slow  coils  grip  and  choke  —  a  mother  drowned, 
Her  wrathful  spirit  rising  from  the  dead  — 
A  gentle  wife  outcast,  discredited, 
With  sighs  to  wake  the  dread  Eumenides! 
Some  thunder-hearted,  vaster  Sophocles, 
His  aeon-beating  blood  the  stellar  stream, 
Has  flung  on  me  the  mantle  of  his  dream, 
And  Nero  grapples  Fate!     O  wondrous  play! 
With  smoking  brand  aloft,  the  haggard  Day 
Gropes  for  the  world !     Pursued  by  subtle  foes, 
Superbly  tragic  'mid  a  storm  of  woes, 
The  fury-hunted  Caesar  takes  the  cue! 
One  time-outstaring  deed  remains  to  do, 
Then  let  the  pit  howl  —  Caesar  sings  no  more ! 
Go  ask  the  battered  wreckage  on  the  shore 
Who  sought  his  mother  in  a  sudden  sleep, 
To  be  with  her  forever  on  the  deep 
A  twin  ship-hating  tempest! 
(Enter  Anicetus  excitedly.) 


60  TWO  MOTHERS 

ANICETUS 

Lost!     We're  lost! 

The  Roman  ship  yaws  rockward  tempest- tossed 
And  Nero  is  but  Lucius  in  the  wreck ! 

NERO 

Croak  on!     Each  croak's  a  dagger  in  that  neck, 
You  vulture  with  the  hideous  dripping  beak, 
The  clutching  tearing  talons  that  now  reek 
With  what  dear  sacred  veins! 

ANICETUS 

O  Caesar,  hear! 

So  keen  the  news  I  bear  you,  that  I  fear 

To  loose  it  like  the  arrow  it  must  be. 

I  know  not  why  such  wrath  you  heap  on  me ; 

I  know  what  peril  deepens  'round  my  lord ; 

How,  riven  by  the  lightning  of  the  sword, 

The  doom-voiced  blackness  labors  round  his  head ! 

NERO 

Say  what  I  know,  that  my  poor  mother's  dead  — 
So  shall  your  life  be  briefer! 


AGRIPPINA  61 

ANICETUS 

Would  't  were  so ! 
NERO 

(A  light  coming  into  his  face.) 
She  lives? 

ANICETUS 
Yea,  lives  —  and  lives  to  overthrow ! 

NERO 
Not  perished? 

ANICETUS 
—  And  her  living  is  our  death ! 

NERO 
She  moves  and  breathes? 

ANICETUS 

—  And  potent  is  her  breath 
To  blow  rebellion  up! 

NERO 
(Rubbing  his  eyes.) 

Still  do  I  sleep? 


62  TWO  MOTHERS 

Is  this  a  taunting  dream  that  I  may  weep 
More  bitterly?     Or  some  new  foul  intrigue? 

ANICETUS 

'Tis  bitter  fact  to  her  who  swam  a  league, 
And  bitter  fact  to  Nero  shall  it  be! 
At  Bauli  now,  still  dripping  from  the  sea, 
She  crouches  snarling! 

NERO 
(In  an  outburst  of  joy.) 

Oh,  you  shall  not  die, 
My  best-loved  Anicetus!     Though  you  lie, 
Sweeter  these  words  are  than  profoundest  truth! 
They    breathe    the    fresh,    white    morning    of    my 

youth 
Upon  the  lampless  night  that  smothered  me! 

0  more  than  human  Sea 

That  spared  my  mother  that  her  son  might  live! 
What  bounty  can  I  give? 

1  —  Caesar  —  falter  beggared  at  this  gift 
Of  living  words  that  lift 


AGRIPPINA  63 

My  mother  from  the  regions  of  the  dead ! 
Ah  —  I  shall  set  a  crown  upon  your  head, 
Snip  you  a  kingdom  from  Rome's  flowing  robe ! 
I'll  temple  you  in  splendors!     Yea,  I'll  probe 
Your  secret  heart  to  know  what  wishes  pant 
In  wingless  yearning  there,  that  I  may  grant! 

(Pause,  while  Anicetus  regards  Nero  with  gloomy 

face.) 
What  sight  thus  makes  your  face  a  pool  of  gloom? 

ANICETUS 
The  ghost  of  Nero  crying  from  his  tomb! 

NERO 
(Startled.) 

Eh  ?  —  Nero's  ghost  —  mine  ? 

ANICETUS 

Even  so  I  said. 

The  doomed  to  perish  are  already  dead 
Who  woo  not  Fate  with  swift  unerring  deeds! 
That  breathless  moment  when  the  tigress  bleeds 
Is  ours  to  strike  in,  ere  the  tigress  spring! 


64  TWO  MOTHERS 

What  could  it  boot  your  servant  to  be  king 
While  any  moment  may  the  trumpets  cry, 
Hailing  the  certain  hour  when  we  shall  die  — 
Caesar,  the  deaf,  and  his  untrusted  slave  ? 
Peer  deep,  peer  deep  into  this  yawning  grave 
And  tell  me  who  shall  fill  it !  —  Wind  and  fire, 
Harnessed  with  thrice  the  ghost  of  her  dead  sire, 
Your  mother  is  tonight!     She  knows,  she  knows 
How  galleys  founder  when  no  tempest  blows 
And  moonlight  slumbers  on  a  glassy  deep ! 
The  beast  our  wound  has  wakened  shall  not  sleep 
Till  it  be  gorged  with  slaughter,  or  be  slain! 
Lull  not  your  heart,  O  Caesar !     It  is  vain 
To  dream  this  cub-lorn  tigress  will  not  turn. 
Lo,  flaring  through  the  dawn  I  see  her  burn, 
A  torch  of  revolution!     Hear  her  raise 
The  legions  with  a  voice  of  other  days, 
Worded  with  pangs  to  fret  their  ancient  scars! 
And  every  sword-wound  of  her  father's  wars 
Will  shriek  aloud  with  pity! 


AGRIPPINA  65 

NERO 

(During  Anicetus'  speech  he  has  shown  growing 
fear.) 

Listen!  — There! 
You  heard  it?  —  Did  you  hear  a  trumpet  blare? 

ANICETUS 

'Tis  but  the  shadow  of  a  sound  to  be 
One  rushing  hour  away! 

NERO 
(In  panic.) 

Where  shall  I  flee?  — 
I,  the  sad  poet  whom  she  made  a  king! 
At  last  we  flesh  the  ghost  of  what  we  sing  — 
We  bards !  —  I  sang  Orestes. 

(His  face  softens  with  a  gentler  thought.) 

Ah  —  111  go 

To  my  poor  heartsick  mother.     Tears  shall  flow, 
The  tears  of  Lucius,  not  imperial  tears. 
I'll  heap  on  her  the  vast,  too  vast  arrears 
Of  filial  love.     The  Senate  shall  proclaim 


66  TWO  MOTHERS 

My  mother  regnant  with  me  —  write  her  name 
Beside  Augustus  with  the  demigods! 
Yea,  lictors  shall  attend  her  with  the  rods, 
And  massed  Praetorians  tramp  the  rabble  down 
Whene'er  her  chariot  flashes  through  the  town! 
One  should  be  kind  to  mothers. 

ANICETUS 

Yea,  and  be 

Kind  to  the  senseless  fury  of  the  sea, 
Fondle  the  tempest  in  a  rotten  boat! 

NERO 
What  would  you,  Anicetus  ? 

ANICETUS 

Cut  her  throat! 
(Nero  gasps  and  shrinks  from  Anicetus.} 

NERO 

No,  no !  —  her  ghost !  —  one  can  not  stab  so  deep  - 
One  can  not  kill  these  tortures  spawned  of  sleep! 
No,  no  —  one  can  not  kill  them  with  a  sword ! 


AGRIPPINA  67 

ANICETUS 

Faugh !     One  good  thrust  —  the  rest  is  air,  my  lord ! 
(Enter  Page  timorously.     Nero  turns  upon  him.) 

PAGE 
(Frightened.) 

Spare  me,  good  Caesar !  —  Agerinus  — 

NERO 

Go! 

Bid  Agerinus  enter! 

(Page  flees.     Nero  to  Anicetus  menacingly.") 

We  shall  know 
What  breath  from  what  damned  throat  tonight  shall 

hiss! 
(Enter  Agerinus,  bowing  low.) 

AGERINUS 

My  mistress  sends  fond  greetings  and  a  kiss 
To  her  most  noble  son,  and  bids  me  say, 
She  rests  and  would  not  see  him  until  day. 
The  royal  galley,  through  unhappy  chance, 
Struck  rock  and  foundered ;  but  no  circumstance 


68  TWO  MOTHERS 

So  meagre  might  deprive  a  son  so  dear 

Of  his  beloved  mother !     Have  no  fear, 

The  long  swim  leaves  her  weary,  but  quite  well. 

She  knows  what  tender  love  her  son  would  tell 

And  yearns  for  dawn  to  bring  him  to  her  side. 

NERO 
(To  A  meet  us.) 

So!     Spell  your  doom  from  that!     You  lied!     You 

lied! 

I'll  lance  that  hateful  fester  in  your  throat! 
Yea,  we  shall  prove  who  rides  the  rotten  boat 
And  supplicates  the  tempest! 

(With  a  rapid  motion,  Nero  draws  Agerinus 
sword  from  its  sheath.  Anicetus  shrinks  back. 
Nero  cries  to  Agerinus.) 

Wait  to  see 
The  loving  message  you  bear  back  from  me! 

(Nero  brandishing  the  sword,  makes  at  Anicetus. 
As  he  is  about  to  deliver  the  stroke,  enter 
Poppaea  from  behind.  She  has  evidently  been 


AGRIPPINA  69 

quite  leisurely  about  her  toilet,  being  dressed 
gorgeously,  and  wearing  her  accustomed  half- 
veil.  Her  manner  is  stately  and  composed. 
She  approaches  slowly.  Nero  stops  suddenly 
in  the  act  to  strike  Anicetus,  and  stares  upon 
the  beautiful  apparition.  Anger  leaves  his  face, 
which  changes  as  though  he  had  seen  a  great 
light.} 

POPPAEA 

(Languidly.) 
My  Nero  longed  for  me? 

(Nero  with  his  free  hand  brushes  his  eyes  in  per 
plexity.) 

NERO 

I  —  can  not  —  tell  — 
What  —  'twas  —  I  wished  —  I  wished  — 

POPPAEA 
(Haughtily.) 

Ah,  very  well. 
(She   walks  slowly    on   across   the   stage.     Nero 


70  TWO  MOTHERS 

stares  blankly  after  her.  The  sword  drops 
from  his  hand.  As  Poppaea  disappears,  he 
rouses  suddenly  as  from  a  stupor.) 

NERO 
Ho!     Guards! 

(Three  soldiers  enter.     Nero  points  to  Agerinus.) 
There  —  seize  that  wretch  who  came  to  kill 
Imperial  Caesar! 

(Agerinus  is  seized.     Nero  turns  to  Anicetus.) 
Hasten!     Do  your  will! 

(Nero  turns,  and  with  an  eager  expression  on  his 
face,  goes  doddering  after  Poppaea*) 

III 

(The  same  night.  Agrippina's  private  chamber 
in  her  villa  at  Bauli  near  Baiae.  There  is  one 
lamp  in  the  room.  At  the  center  back  is  a 
broad  door  closed  with  heavy  hangings.  At 
the  right  is  an  open  window  through  which 
the  moonlight  falls.  Agrippina  is  discovered 


AGRIPPINA  71 

lying  on  a  couch.     One  maid,  Nina,  is  in  at 
tendance  and  is  arranging  Agrippina's  hair.) 

AGRIPPINA 
He  was  so  tender  —  what  should  kindness  mean? 

(The  maid  seems  not  to  hear.) 
I  spoke !  —  you  heard  me  speak  ? 
NINA 

I  heard,  my  Queen. 
AGRIPPINA 

And  deemed  my  voice  some  ghostly  summer  wind 
Fit  for  autumnal  hushes  ?     He  was  kind ! 
Was  ever  breath  in  utterance  better  spent? 

NINA 

Your  slave  could  scarcely  fancy  whom  you  meant, 
There  are  so  many  tender  to  the  great. 

AGRIPPINA 

When   all   the  world   is  one  sky-circled   state, 
Pray,  who  shall  fill  it  as  the  sun  the  sky  ? 
The  mother  of  that  mighty  one  am  I  — 


72  TWO  MOTHERS 

And  he  caressed  me! 

I  shall  feel  no  pain 

Forever  now.     So,  drenched  with  winter  rain, 
The  friendless  marshland  knows  the  boyish  South 
And  shivers  into  color ! 

On  the  mouth 

He  kissed  me,  as  before  that  other  came  — 
That  Helen  of  the  stews,  that  corpse  aflame 
With  lust  for  life,  that  — 

Ah,  he  maidened  me! 

What  dying  wind  could  swray  so  tall  a  tree 
With  such  proud  music?     I  shall  be  again 
That  darkling  whirlwind  down  the  fields  of  men, 
That  dart  unloosed,  barbed  keenly  for  his  sake, 
That  living  sword  for  him  to  wield  or  break, 
But  never  sheathe! 

(Lifts  herself  on  elbow.) 

O  Nina,  let  me  be 
Robed  as  the  Queen  I  am  in  verity! 
Robed  as  a  victrix  home  from  splendid  wars, 


AGRIPPINA  73 

Whom,  'mid  the  rumble  of  spoil-laden  cars 
Trundled  by  harnessed  kings,  the  trumpets  hail ! 
Let  quiet  garments  be  for  those  who  fail, 
Mourning  a  world  ill-lost  with  meek  surrenders! 
I     would     flare     bright     'mid     Death's    unhuman 

splendors, 

Dazzle  the  moony  hollows  of  the  dead ! 
Ah  no  — 

(Arising  and  going  to  window.) 
I  shall  not  die  yet. 

(Parts  the  curtains  and  gazes  out.) 

NINA 

'Tis  the  dread 

Still  clinging  from  the  clutches  of  the  sea, 
That  living,  writhing  horror!     Ugh!     O'er  me 
Almost  I  feel  the  liquid  terror  crawl! 
Through  glassy  worlds  of  tortured  sleep  to  fall, 
Where  winds  blow  not,  nor  mornings  ever  blush, 
But  green,  cold,  ghastly  light-wraiths  wander  — 


74  TWO  MOTHERS 

AGRIPPINA 

(Turning  from  window  with  nervous  anger.) 

Hush! 
( Turns  again  to  window;  after  pause,  continues 

musingly.) 

She  battles  in  a  surf  of  spectral  fire. 
No  —  like  some  queen  upon  a  funeral  pyre, 
Gasping,  she  withers  in  a  fever  swoon. 
Had  she  a  son  too? 

NINA 
(Approaching  the  window.) 

Who,  O  Queen? 

AGRIPPINA 

The  moon! 

See,  she  is  strangled  in  a  noose  of  pearl! 
What  tell-tale  scars  she  has ! 

—  Look  yonder,  girl  — 
Your  eyes  are  younger  —  by  the  winding  sea 
Where  Baiae  glooms  and  blanches;  it  may  be 
Old  eyes  betray  not,  but  some  horsemen  take 


AGRIPPINA  75 

The  white  road  winding  hither  by  the  lake. 

NINA 
The  way  lies  plain  —  I  see  no  moving  thing. 

AGRIPPINA 

Why  thus  is  Agerinus  loitering? 
For  he  was  ever  true. 

(Joyously.) 

Ah  foolish  head ! 

My  heart  knows  how  my  son  shall  come  instead, 
My  little  Lucius!     Even  now  he  leaps 
Into  the  saddle  and  the  dull  way  creeps 
Beneath  the  spurred  impatience  of  his  horse, 
He  longs  so  for  me! 

(Pause  —  She  scans  the  moonlit  country.) 

Shrouded  like  a  corse, 
Hoarding  a  mother's  secret,  lies  the  sea  ; 
And  Capri,  like  a  giant  Niobe, 
Outgazes  Fate! 

O  sweet,  too  gentle  lies 
And  kisses  sword-like!     Would  the  sun  might  rise 


76  TWO  MOTHERS 

No  more  on  Baiae !     Would  that  earth  might  burst 
Spewing  blear  doom  upon  this  world  accursed 
With  truth  too  big  for  hiding! 

See!     He  sleeps 

Beside  her,  and  the  shame-dimmed  lamp-light  creeps 
Across  her  wine-stained  mouth  —  so  red  —  so  red  — 
Like  mother  blood !  —  See !  hissing  round  her  head 
Foul  hate-fanged  vipers  that  he  calls  her  hair! 
Ah  no  —  beyond  all  speaking  is  she  fair ! 
Sweet  as  a  sword-wound  in  a  gasping  foe 
Her  mouth  is;  and  too  well,  too  well  I  know 
Her  face  is  dazzling  as  a  funeral  flame 
Battened  on  queen's  flesh! 

(Turning  angrily  from  window.) 

Oh  the  blatant  shame ! 

The  bungling  drunkard's  plot!  —  Tonight,  tonight 
I  shall  swoop  down  upon  them  by  the  light 
Of  naked  steel!     Faugh!     Had  it  come  to  that? 
Had  Rome  no  sword,  that  like  a  drowning  rat 
The  mother  of  a  king  should  meet  her  end  ? 


AGRIPPINA  77 

What  Gallic  legion  would  not  call  me  friend? 
Did  they  not  love  Germanicus,  my  sire? 
Oh,  I  will  rouse  the  cohorts,  scattering  fire 
Till  all  Rome  blaze  rebellion! 

(She  has  advanced  to  a  place  beside  the  couch, 
stands  in  a  defiant  attitude  for  a  moment,  then 
covers  her  face  with  her  hands  and  sinks  to  the 
couch.) 

No,  no,  no  — 

It  could  not  be,  I  would  not  have  it  so ! 
Not  mine  to  burn  the  tower  my  hands  have  built! 
And  somewhere  'mid  the  shadows  of  his  guilt 
My  son  is  good. 

(Lifts  herself  on  elbow.) 

Look,  Nina,  toward  the  roofs 
Of  sleeping  Baiae.     Say  that  eager  hoofs 
Beat  a  white  dust-cloud  moonward. 

(Nina  goes  to  window  and  peers  out.) 

NINA 

Landward  crawls 


78  TWO  MOTHERS 

A  sea  fog;  Capri's  league-long  shadow  sprawls 
Lengthening  toward  us  —  soon  the  moon  will  set. 

AGRIPPINA 
No  horsemen? 

NINA 

None,  my  Queen. 
AGRIPPINA 

—  And  yet  —  and  yet  — 

He  called  me  baby  names.     Ah,  ghosts  that  wept 
Big  tears  down  smiling  faces,  twined  and  crept 
About  my  heart,  and  still  I  feel  their  tears. 
They  make  me  joyous. —  After  all  these  years, 
The  little  boy  my  heart  so  often  dirged 
Shivered  the  man-husk,  beardless,  and  emerged! 
He  kissed  my  breasts  and  hung  upon  my  going ! 
Once  more  I  felt  the  happy  nurture  flowing, 
The  silvery,  tingling  shivers  of  delight! 
What  though  my  end  had  come  indeed  tonight  — 
I  was  a  mother! 

—  Have  you  children  ? 


AGRIPPINA  79 

NINA 

No, 

My  Queen. 

AGRIPPINA 
Yet  you  are  winsome. 

NINA 

Lovers  go 

Like  wind,  as  lovers  come ;  I  am  unwed. 

AGRIPPINA 

How  lonely  shall  you  be  among  the  dead 
Where  hearts  remember,  but  are  lorn  of  hope! 
Poor  girl !     No  dream  of  tiny  hands  that  grope, 
And  coaxing,  hunting  little  mouths  shall  throw 
Brief  glories  'round  you! 

Nina,  I  would  go 

Like  any  brazen  bawd  along  the  street, 
Hailing  the  first  stout  carter  I  should  meet, 
Ere  I  would  perish  childless!     Though  we  nurse 
The  cooing  thing  that  some  day  hurls  the  curse, 
Forge  from  our  hearts  the  matricidal  sword, 


80  TWO  MOTHERS 

The  act  of  loving  is  its  own  reward. 
We  mothers  need  no  pity! 

'Twill  be  said, 

When  this  brief  war  is  done,  and  I  am  dead, 
That  I  was  wanton,  shameless  —  be  it  so! 
Unto  the  swarm  of  insect  scribes  I  throw 
The  puffed-up  purple  carcass  of  my  name 
For  them  to  feast  on !     Pointed  keen  with  shame, 
How  shall  each  busy  little  stylus  bite 
A  thing  that  feels  not!     I  have  fought  my  fight! 
That  mine  were  but  the  weapons  of  the  foe, 
Too  well  the  ragged  scars  I  bear  can  show. 
Oh,  I  have  triumphed,  and  am  ripe  to  die ! 
About  my  going  shall  the  trumpets  cry 
Forever  and  forever! 

I   can   thread 

The  twilit  under-regions  of  the  dead 
A  radiant  shadow  with  a  heart  that  sings ! 
Before  the  myriad  mothers  of  great  kings 
I  shall  lift  up  each  livid  spirit  hand 


AGRIPPINA  81 

Spotted  with  blood  —  and  they  shall  understand 
How  small  the   price  was! 

NINA 

Hark! 

(The  tramp  of  soldiery  and  the  clatter  of  arms 
are  heard  fro?n  without.     Nina,  panic-stricken, 
runs  to  window,  peers  out,  shrinks  back,  and, 
turning,  flees  by  a  side  door.) 
AGRIPPINA 

Why  do  you  flee? 

Did  I  not  say  my  son  would  come  to  me  ? 

Tis  Nero  —  Nero  Caesar,  Lord  of  Rome ! 

My  little  boy  grown  tall  is  coming  home ! 

(She  goes  to  window,  peers  out,  shrinks  back, 
then  turns  toward  the  door  and  sees  three 
armed  men  standing  there  —  Anicetus,  the 
Captain  of  a  Galley  and  a  Centurion  of  the 
Navy.  The  men  stare  at  her  without  moving.) 

Why  come  you  here? 
(Silence.) 


82  TWO  MOTHERS 

To  know  my  health  ?  —  Go  tell 
My  son,  your  master,  I  am  very  well  — 
And  happy  — 

( The  men  make  no  reply.  Agrippina  straightens 
her  body  haughtily.) 

—  If  like  cowards  in  the  night 
You  come  to  stab  a  woman  — 

ANICETUS 

(Drawing  his  sword  and  speaking  to  Captain.) 

Snuff  the  light! 

( The  men  spring  forward  with  drawn  swords. 
Agrippina  does  not  move.  The  light  is 
stricken  out.) 


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